Commander of the IRGC Air Force
The Commander of the IRGC Air Force (Aerospace Force) is the senior military official responsible for Iran's strategic missile program, drone fleet, and space-based assets. This role is central to the regime's long-range strike capabilities and its direct military confrontations with Israel.
The Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force—more formally known as the Aerospace Force—oversees the most critical offensive branch of Iran's military apparatus. Unlike the conventional Iranian Air Force (Artesh), which focuses on traditional air defense and aging fighter jets, the IRGC Aerospace Force is the primary custodian of the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile arsenal, which is the largest in the Middle East. This command is responsible for the development, deployment, and operational use of precision-guided munitions, loitering munitions (drones), and satellite launch vehicles.
Under this leadership, the IRGC has transitioned from a doctrine of regional proxy warfare to one of direct state-on-state confrontation. As of June 2026, the commander has been a pivotal figure in the escalation of hostilities with Israel, overseeing the launch of ballistic missiles targeting strategic Israeli infrastructure, including the Ramat David Airbase. The role involves close coordination with the Supreme Leader and the IRGC's senior command to execute 'Operation Epic Fury' and other retaliatory strikes. The commander's public rhetoric often emphasizes the 'kept promise' of retaliation against Israeli and American interests, framing the force as the primary shield of the 'resistance axis.' For Israel, this office represents the most immediate kinetic threat, necessitating constant intelligence monitoring and the development of multi-layered missile defense systems to counter the specific capabilities developed under this command.